Quoting abierce512:

Quote:
mediadogg, have you ever got anyone to test the cx777es changer, I have 2 of these and I am willing to assit if it's still needed. I have not yet set up to use them with but am ready to do so.

Art

I would be delighted. I have rudimentary support already, and at least one person has reported that it works. I use the cx777es.exe file from GNU. If you use the "rs232" option in the location field, LoadDVD will call rs232.bat from the \plugins\loadDVD folder. There is a sample provided with the call to cx777es.exe commented out.

@echo off
rem %1 DescriptionSideA
rem %2 profileid    - this is usually the UPS code
rem %3 disc#
rem %4 slot#
rem %5 LabelSideA
rem %6 filepath
rem %7 and thereafter - remainder of Location field
echo %1 %2 %3 %4 %5 %6 %7 %8 %9
pause
rem Sample call to play from Sony cx777es - untested
rem cx777.exe com1 36 %4 0 0 1

If this initial support works for you, I would consider upgrading it:

(1) to support using collection number and Media Type (as does PlayFromDisk.bat - actually you could even use that technique also - code "play" in the location field instead and put the call to cx777ES.exe in PlayFromDIsk.bat). Of course you would need to use two COM ports and change the script accordingly.

(2) If necessary, I could integrate the DLL version of the cx777ES support - it may provide a bit more reliable operation - but I will wait to see if it is needed.

Well I hope that is enough to get you started. I would suggest only coding a few entries in the profiles untill the testing confirms successful operation.

For another solution, I have heard that the CX777ES uses the same IR commands as does the CX995V. I can't confirm that, but if you own a USBUIRT device, you could try controlling the cx777ES with infrared. Code cx995v1 or cx995v2 in the Location field, and LoadDVD will use code set 1 and code set 2 for the two changers.

Quoting abierce512:

Quote:
I can try whatever you like, however I work out of state so I am only around on the weekends to try it. The one thing I want to try is, I also have an Escient DVDM100 and I would like to use the available comm4 port on it to control both changes and a possible a third at some point, according to Escient they use that comm port for different devices to control the unit so I am hoping I will be able to use the same way. If you can wait till next weekend I can test it out.

Art

Edit: Ok scratch all that junk I had before. I just took a quick look at the Escient web site and briefly reviewed the User Guide. That thing is awesome. Seems like DVD Profiler and LoadDVD all in a box. I wonder how you envision using it together with DVD Profiler and LoadDVD? seems like duplication and overlap.

I do appreciate your offer to help me test the cx777ES. But I see that as a separate standalone project not related to the Escient, since it does the control for you. There is no need to for LoadDVD to send commands to the changer. Perhaps all you need is a way to send commands to the Escient via COM4 or via IR control.

So if you could explain your vision of what you are trying to do, I can better feed back to you what, if anything, you could gain by using my plugin as it stands or modified to fit what seems like an interesting new scenario.

Quoting perioso:

Quote:
Obviously it`s not so easy to create shortcuts (ver 1.33) to start playing. But what about a menu item under "DVD"? I remember, that this was possible in a former version of your plugin. I ask for this, because I am looking for a possibilty to programm my pronto.

Yeah, maybe someday I will get it right. Let me get this straight, you can't program a "right-click" with Pronto? The menu is already there if you can. It has always been there along with the toolbat icons. I was just trying to reduce the clutter for people with multiple plugins.

Edit: Tell you what - I will put the latest version that still has the hotkey (1.4 - I forgot why) on the Beta Testers page. I'll send you a PM with the password. If it works for you, ok. How's that? If you try it, keep me posted on results.

Quoting perioso:

Quote:
DVDProfiler shows a strange behaviour, when working with keyboard commands. For example: If You activate the wishlist-window with a keyboard comand, it`s not possible to use the up and down keys to select a movie. The cursor remains in the last selected window. With the "right-click" it`s similar. If You select a movie by moving with the up and down keys and then click the right key with the pronto, the menu opens where the mouse cursor is. Therfore  I made the suggestion to generate a menu item under "DVD" in the hope of avoiding this behaviour.

Thanks for the explanation. I will try to make it happen. The only reason for a slight pushback, is that I sense there may be quite a few users now. I have to be careful not to affect others. I am thinking of an option checkbox, with the default as it is now, but optionally to switch to a menu under DVD.

Quoting abierce512:

Quote:
MediaDogg, I want to control both the changers and the HD based movies from one location. Like I said I am away from home 4 nights a week and family does not want to be bothered learning multiple apps. Since all the movies are located in DVD Profile it would be just one app to launch anything I want. I used Main Lobby before the Escient But it was always work to update my database then export that data and import it to ML then update the ML Database it all worked well but the maintainence for me was painful. I am hoping that the Escient thru it's comm 4 port will just pass the Serial commands to comm ports 1,2,3 on itself and work as normal, My Harmony remote will take care of the input settings of the receiver and all outbound is passed thru a single HDMI cable to the TV and Projecter.

Art

Got your PM with the link. I'll take a look.

@aaa

Nice work. Two prior posts contain solutions that could be easily integrated into your scheme:

(1) cheetham Posted: March 15, 2008 5:52 PM

(2) mediadogg Posted: February 25, 2008 7:09 PM

Quoting aaa:

Quote:
Wow, md, that was quick!

I had actually used cheetham’s post as a template for my attempts. ?
I think my hang up is with not having the correct syntax in the .bat as well as in the slot field for those ‘if” commands. Do I need to use [], or “” or ….?

Could you also please how to use the %8 label in a bit more detail?

Thanks!

%8 and thereafter should contain whatever you put to the right of the "verb" in the location field. For example if you put "play it again sam" in the location field. LoadDVD would see "play" and then call playfromdisk.bat. %8 would contain "it", %9 would contain "again" , then you would have to do a SHIFT to cycle back around to %1 would be "sam".

In terms of the syntax, I gave you two working scripts. Do it that way. If you don't understand why the If statements are coded that way, I suggest Googling one of the many batch programming turorials out there. You will understand in just a few minutes.

By the way, if you know VBscript or any other language - you don't have to code .bat logic of course. Just pass the variables to your own program written in whatever language you like.

Edit: Ok, I think I see what's bothering you. It would probably be helpful if you coded play/s so you can see the .bat file and then code

echo %1 %2 %3 %4 %5 %6 %7 %8 %9
pause

That will allow you to see exactly what is coming to you. Sometimes you will get "test" and othr times you will just get text (usually when it is numeric, such as slot).

So if you are checking slot, which has no quotes, and you say IF %4==2 and there is nothing in the slot field, the .bat file will see IF ==2, which is a syntax error. It blows up and stops.

On the other hand if you code IF [%4]==[2], and you have nothing in the slot field, the .bat file sees

IF []==[2], which is a perfectly legal statement which is false, so it just happily continues to the next line of the .bat file.

Quoting aaa:

Quote:
Md;
I understand and agree with your approach of ‘teaching how to fish’. Nevertheless, I am still stuck and would really appreciate your (or anybody else’s) help.

I have been able to use the media type ‘switch’ (DVD, HD DVD, etc.) in my ‘if’ commands, but the missing link is what format is needed in the slot field.

So applying the media type format, the if commands should look like:
…

if %4=="1" goto NAS1
if %4=="2" goto NAS2
…

Now, what do I need to fill in the slot field to access e.g. NAS1? Is it:
1 or
[1]    or
'1'    or
"1"  or
....

I think I have tried all combinations, but none worked...


Thank you for your patience!

I figured it out myself - it's working now....

So just for reference in someone else comes across this issue: the answer to above is:  a plain 1 does the trick. However, I also had to check Use Slot for the Play %4% Value in the plugin options.